Éire Óg GAA celebrate their rich history

Éire Óg GAA marked its 136-year history in style with a commemorative event at the Rochestown Park Hotel recently.  

The event, which was hosted by RTÉ’s Marty Morrissey, recognised both Éire Óg’s storied history and the 40th anniversary of the club’s victory in the 1985 Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship.

The event served as a means of both honouring Éire Óg heroes of the past whose successes the club strives to build on, and showing appreciation for the club’s volunteers who play an instrumental role in its continued and future success.

The event included specially produced documentary-style videos featuring prominent club members both young and old, including Kevin Murray, Patrick O’Flynn, Denis Desmond, John O’Flynn, Dick Nagle, Mick Malone and Tom Brennan of Éire Óg’s 1985 Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship winning side who beat Blackrock’s second team by a single point in the final.

Attendees at the event, which was organised by club members Michael Kelleher, Mick Malone, Michael O’Flynn and James O’Leary, were treated to performances from Eurovision winner Paul Harrington, The Three Tenors, and accordionist Liam O’Connor.

“In bringing our community together, this unique event celebrated the contributions of everyone who has been part of Éire Óg’s history through both good times and bad,” said Mick Malone of Éire Óg’s 1985 Cork Intermediate Hurling Championship winning side and former Cork hurler.

“From committee members and players to coaches and supporters, this event served as an expression of the club’s sincere gratitude to those who have played a part in making Éire Óg a club that is so close to our hearts,” said James O’Leary, who also donned Cork’s red and white jersey.

Éire Óg’s proud achievements include a blitz of four Cork Senior Camogie Championships in the space of eight years, a Cork Senior Hurling Championship, three Cork Intermediate Hurling Championships, and, most recently, a Cork Senior A Ladies Football Championship in 2025.

Éire Óg also has a stellar record of producing inter-county stars. These include, Mick Malone, who won two All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championships with Cork in 1976 and 1977, Colm Sheehan, who scored two goals as Cork won the All-Ireland Senior Hurling Championship in 1966 against Kilkenny. 

The pairing of Ciarán Sheehan and Daniel Goulding were instrumental in Cork’s most recent All-Ireland Senior Football Championship victory in 2010 against Down.